Self-weighing container

ABSTRACT

A self-weighing container for transporting delivery items includes a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weight of a delivery item that is placed inside the container; a microcontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device; and a display that is connected to the microcontroller. When a delivery item is placed in the container, the weight-sensing device produces a signal that corresponds to the weight of the delivery item and the microcontroller receives the signal and determines the weight of the delivery item based on the signal. The microcontroller may transmit an indication of the weight to the display, which displays the weight based on the indication of the weight, or the microcontroller may transmit the weight to a smart phone for display.

BACKGROUND

Various agencies and companies provide parcel delivery services, such asthe U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Express corporation (FedEx™), andthe United Parcel Service corporation (UPS™). Often, the parcels thatare delivered are containers composed of paper, cardboard, wood, etc.,which enclose a delivery item(s) or good(s) that is being sent anddelivered.

Generally, the cost of delivering a parcel (e.g., the shipping price)can vary depending on the weight of the container (including thedelivery item(s) inside the container). Accordingly, containers andtheir enclosed item or goods are generally weighed prior to shippingand/or before the customer can pay for the shipping in order todetermine the correct delivery cost or price. However, customers areoften faced with situations where a scale for weighing a container isnot readily available. For example, when a customer packages items intoa container at home and then drops or deposits the container at ashipping or collection location where there is no scale (e.g. a cornermailbox or a drop box) and/or prior to business hours of the shipping orcollection location (e.g., before a post office opens or before adelivery service's store opens).

Accordingly, there is a desire for systems and devices that that canweigh delivery items and/or determine a delivery price without access toa separate scale.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure describe a container fortransporting delivery items. Various implementations of the containermay include a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weightof a delivery item that is placed inside the container, amicrocontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device, and adisplay that is connected to the microcontroller. In suchimplementations, when a delivery item is placed in the container, theweight-sensing device produces a signal that corresponds to the weightof the delivery item and the microcontroller receives the signal anddetermines the weight of the delivery item based on the signal. Themicrocontroller transmits an indication of the weight to the display,the display displays the weight based on the indication of the weight.

In various embodiments or implementations, the structure of thecontainer is a cardboard box and/or the container may be collapsibleand/or the container is cuboid in shape.

In some embodiments, the weight-sensing device may include pressureindicating paper. The pressure indicating paper may produce a pluralityof signals corresponding to different areas of the pressure indicatingpaper, and the microcontroller may determine the weight utilizing analgorithm that averages the plurality of signals from the pressureindicating paper.

In some other embodiments, the weight-sensing device may include one ormore load cells, where each load cell of a plurality of load cellsproduces a signal that corresponds to a part of the weight of thedelivery item that is sensed by the load cell. In such embodiments, thecontainer further comprises a plate that is connected to the pluralityof load cells and the delivery item that is placed in the containerrests on the plate, which distributes the weight of the delivery itemamong the plurality of load cells. The microcontroller may calculate theweight based on the signals from the plurality of load cells. Aplurality of load cells may produce a plurality of signals correspondingto different areas of the pressure indicating paper, and themicrocontroller may calculate the weight utilizing an algorithm thataverages the signals from the plurality of load cells.

In further embodiments, the container also includes an amplifier, wherethe weight-sensing device is connected to the microcontroller via theamplifier and the amplifier amplifies the signal from the weight-sensingdevice and transmits the amplified signal to the microcontroller. Insome embodiments, the container may also include a temperature sensorconnected to the microcontroller that produces a signal that correspondsto the temperature inside the container, a humidity sensor connected tothe microcontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to thehumidity inside the container, an accelerometer connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to movement ofthe container, a Global Positioning System receiver connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to globalcoordinates of the container, and/or a light sensor connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to light sensedwithin the container.

In still further embodiments, the container also includes a wirelesstransmitter connected to the microcontroller, and the microcontrollertransmits an indication of the weight to a device via the wirelesstransmitter.

Other implementations of the container transporting delivery items mayinclude a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weight ofa delivery item that is placed inside the container, a microcontrollerthat is connected to the weight-sensing device, and a wirelesstransmitter connected to the microcontroller. When a delivery item isplaced in the container, the weight-sensing device produces a signalthat corresponds to the weight of the delivery item, the microcontrollerreceives the signal and determines the weight of the delivery item basedon the signal, and the microcontroller transmits an indication of theweight to a device via the wireless transmitter.

In some embodiments, the device is a user device that displays theweight in response to receiving the indication of the weight from themicrocontroller. In some embodiments, the device is a server thatreceives and stores the indication of the weight in a database, andtransmits the indication of the weight to a user device based on arequest received from the user device.

In various embodiments, the container is a cardboard box. And in some ofthose embodiments, the cardboard box is made of corrugated fiberboard,the microcontroller is connected to the weight-sensing device via aplurality of wires, and the plurality of wires are within corrugationsof the corrugated fiberboard.

In some embodiments, the weight-sensing device may be pressureindicating paper and/or the container is collapsible. In otherembodiments, the weight-sensing device may be a plurality of load cells,and each load cell of the plurality of load cells produces a signal thatcorresponds to a part of the weight of the delivery item that is sensedby the load cell. In such embodiments, the container may beprefabricated in a cuboid shape and may include a plate that isconnected to the plurality of load cells, such that when a delivery itemthat is placed in the container rests on the plate, the platedistributes the weight of the delivery item among the plurality of loadcells. The microcontroller may calculate the weight based on signalsfrom the plurality of load cells.

In yet other embodiments, the container may further include anamplifier, wherein the weight-sensing device is connected to themicrocontroller via the amplifier, and the amplifier amplifies thesignal from the weight-sensing device and transmits the signal that wasamplified to the microcontroller.

In still other embodiments, the container may also include a push-buttonswitch connected to the microcontroller that causes the microcontrollerto change units of the display, a temperature sensor connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to thetemperature inside the container, a humidity sensor connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to the humidityinside the container, an accelerometer connected to the microcontrollerthat produces a signal that corresponds to movement of the container, aGlobal Positioning System receiver connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to global coordinates of thecontainer, and/or a light sensor connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to light sensed within the container.

Other implementations, embodiments or variations will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill from reading the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the present teachings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for tracking andreceiving information from containers prior to and during delivery,consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional sideview of a bottom flap of a container, consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of acontainer, consistent with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of aclosed container, consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present examples ofembodiments of the disclosure, several examples of which are illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

Various embodiments include systems, methods, devices, and manufacturesthat include and/or utilize content-weighing containers. As used herein,a container can be any type of object that can be used to contain one ormore items. In some examples described herein, the container may becomposed primarily of cardboard (e.g., a cardboard box). As used herein,“cardboard” can refer to any type of heavy paper or paper-like material,such as card stock, corrugated fiberboard, pasteboard, or paperboard.However, in further embodiments, the principles and features describedherein can be used with containers composed of other materials, such asfabric, wood, light-weight paper, composites, etc.

As further described herein, the container can include a self-weighingor content-weighing mechanism or apparatus, that includes, for example,one or more of a weight-sensing device (e.g., pressure indicating paperor load cells), a plate, electrical wires, a battery, a microcontroller,an amplifier, a display, zero or more push-button switch(es), a wirelesstransceiver, one or more additional sensing devices, (e.g., atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a GPS sensor), etc. In thisdisclosure, the term “self-weighing” is used interchangeably with theterm “content-weighing.”

The self-weighing containers can provide various advantages over priordelivery systems and container technologies. For example, theself-weighing containers can allow users to prepare and ship a containerwithout requiring extra equipment (e.g., a separate scale).Additionally, in some embodiments, the self-weighing container cancommunicate with a device of the shipper, a device of recipient, and/orwith devices of the delivery service to, for example, determine andtransmit the weight of the item(s) within the container (e.g., forshipping costs calculation and/or tamper/removal detection), determine alocation of the container, determine if the container has been openedduring shipping, determine if the container or items have been damagedduring shipping, etc.

In various implementations, the self-weighing containers can be used inany type of delivery system provided by any type of delivery service,such as the U.S. Postal Service (U.S.P.S.), the FedEx™ company, or theUPS™ company.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system 100 for trackingand receiving information from containers prior to and during delivery,consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, thecomputing system 100 can include a container 110, a user device 130, awireless access point 150, and a server 160. Also depicted are awireless communication link 120 between the container 110 and the userdevice 130 and a wireless communication link 140 between the container110 and the access point 150.

The container 110, as depicted in FIG. 1, can be a self-weighingcontainer, according to the various embodiments described in, forexample, FIGS. 2-10. The container 110 can include a wirelesstransceiver (not shown in FIG. 1) for communicating with the user device130 and/or the wireless access point 150. In some embodiments, thewireless transceiver may only be a wireless transmitter that transmitssignals (e.g., the wireless signals of the links 120 and 140) that canbe received by the user device 130 and/or the wireless access point 150.In other embodiments, the wireless transceiver may be able to transmitand receive signals (e.g., the wireless signals of the links 120 and140) to and from the user device 130 and/or the wireless access point150. In some embodiments, the container 110 can include a display fordisplaying container information, such as delivery item weight,temperature, humidity, etc., as described in further detail below. Infurther embodiments, the container 110 can include controls, such aspush-button switches, that can be used to, for example, switch betweendisplays of different types of container information, switch betweendifferent measurement units (e.g., grams, pounds, Celsius, Fahrenheit,etc.), indicate a tare weight, etc.

In various implementations, the user device 130 can be any type of oneor more computing devices. For example, the user device 130 can be aportable computing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, asmartwatch, any type of portable Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, etc.As a further example, the user device 130 can be a desktop computer, anytype of stationary IoT device, etc. In various implementations, the userdevice 130 can execute an application or program that causes the userdevice 130 to perform some or all of the functions described in thisdisclosure. In some implementations, the application or program may beprovided by or downloadable from a delivery service, such as theU.S.P.S. Additionally, in another exemplary implementation, the user'sportable computing device may be programmed to act as a conduit in orderto retrieve information from a remote computing device, such as a webserver for delivery services. The remote computing device may providethe user with delivery-related content, such as a website, a video, oran augmented reality/virtual reality experience. In some suchimplementations, the portable computing device may provide or addpackage-related data to content provided by the remote computing device,such as providing the container-detected item weight to the remotecomputing device to pre-populate a package-shipping web page, such asthe Click-n-Ship web page provided by the U.S.P.S.

The user device 130 can communicate with the container 110 via thewireless signal link 120 to or from the container 110. As describedherein, a wireless signal can be any type of analog or digital wirelesssignal, such as a Bluetooth™ signal, a 3G signal, a 4G signal, a 5Gsignal, a radio signal, a Wi-Fi signal, and the like. Additionally, theuser device 130 can communicate with the server 160 via wired and/orwireless signals in one or more wired and/or wireless networks (notshown in FIG. 1). In various embodiments, the user device 130 cancommunicate with the server 160 through a wide-area network, such as theInternet. For example, the user device 130 can receive, from thecontainer 110 or the server 160, location information of the container110, an indication of tampering associated with the container 110, anindication of temperature and/or humidity within the container 110, anindication of movement of the container 110, etc.; any of which may bedetected by a sensor(s) of the container 110.

In some embodiments, the user device 130 can include a display, and thedisplay can be used to display container information corresponding toand transmitted from the container 110. The container information can bedetected by the container 110 using the features and sensors describedin further detail below.

In further embodiments, the user device 130 can include or becommunicatively connected to a printer (not shown in FIG. 1) forprinting a shipping label based on the weight of the delivery item asdetermined by the self-weighing container 110, as described in furtherdetail below.

As noted above, in some implementations, the user device 130 can run anapplication provided by a delivery service. In other implementations,the wireless signal link 120 from the container 110 to the user device130 can result in a push notification that causes a message to pop up onthe user device 130, which directs a user of the user device 130 to awebsite of a delivery service. The application or website can allow theuser to, for example, communicate with the container 110 (via thewireless signal link 120 and/or via communications with the server 160),calculate shipping costs using a weight determined by the container 110,receive an indication of a location of the container 110 duringshipping, receive an indication of whether the container 110 has beentampered with during shipping, receive an indication of a temperature orhumidity within the container 110, receive an indication of whether anaccelerometer has been triggered, etc.

In further implementations, the container 110 may include a barcode orthe like on its outside that can be scanned using a camera and barcodeprocessing software of the user device 130. In such implementations, thebarcode may direct a browser of the user device 130 to a website of adelivery service, where the user can perform various operations, such asentering in a weight of the container 110 and/or its contents anddetermine a shipping price and/or accessing information about thecontainer 110 from the server 160.

The access point 150 can be any type of one or more devices capable ofreceiving and/or sending wireless signals and communicating with theserver 160. For example, the access point 150 can be a standalone deviceconnected to a network router in a wired network or can be a device thatis integrated with a network router.

The access point 150 can communicate with the container 110 via thewireless signal link 140 to or from the container 110. Additionally, theaccess point 150 can communicate with the server 160 via wired and/orwireless signals in one or more wired and/or wireless networks (e.g.,the Internet) (not shown in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the container 110 cantransmit container information to the server 160 via the wireless signallink 140 and the access point 150. For example, the container 110 cantransmit, to the server 160, weight information, location information,humidity information, temperature information, accelerometerinformation, light detection information, a container identifier, etc.

The server 160 can be any type of one or more computing devices capableof communicating with the access point 150 and/or the user device 130via wired and/or wireless signals in one or more wired and/or wirelessnetworks (e.g., the Internet). In some embodiments, the server 160 maybe controlled by the delivery service that delivers the container 110,and the server 160 may maintain a database of container information formultiple containers, such as container identifiers, last knownlocations, shipping weights, shipping price, origin location (e.g.return address), delivery location (e.g., delivery address), last knowntemperatures, last known humidity values, whether tampering has beendetected, whether an accelerator has been triggered, etc. The server 160can receive at least part of the container information from thecontainer 110 via the access point 150 and a communication networkand/or from the user device 130 via a communication network.Additionally, the server 160 can transmit container information to theuser device 130 for displaying to the user (e.g., based on a requestfrom the user device 130).

In an example use of the system 100, a user can put a delivery item inthe container 110, and the container 110 can determine the weight of thedelivery item. An indication of the weight of the delivery item can becommunicated to the user device 130 (e.g., via the wireless signal 120).Alternatively or additionally, an indication of the weight of thedelivery item can be displayed by the container 110, e.g., using an LCDdisplay as described below. The indication of the delivery item weightcan be entered into and/or displayed on the user device 130, and theuser device 130 can determine a shipping cost for the container 110using the delivery item weight in combination with other information,for example, a destination address entered or indicated by the user.Based on the delivery item weight, the origin address, the destinationaddress, and/or the shipping cost, the user device can format and sendan instruction to a printer to print a shipping label, the user canaffix the shipping label to the container 110, and the user can depositthe container 110 with a delivery service that will deliver thecontainer. In various implementations, the container 110 can communicateits container information to the server 160 via the wirelesscommunication link 140 and/or the access point 150, for example,whenever within wireless range. The container information received bythe server 160 can include, for example, the delivery item weight,Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the container 110, atemperature inside the container 110, a humidity inside the container110, an indication of whether light has been detected in the container110 during shipping, an indication of whether an accelerometer has beentriggered (e.g., exceeded a predetermined threshold for an accelerationamount) during shipping, etc. The server 160 can store the containerinformation in a database and/or transmit some or all of the containerinformation during shipping to the user device 130. The user device 130can display the container information during shipping for the user.

The system 100 in merely an example of a system that can be used withdisclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. In variousembodiments, additional devices or fewer devices and/or functions can beincluded in the system and the devices can communicate via one or morenetworks. For example, the system 100 can include multiple containers,multiple user devices (of multiple users), multiple access points,multiple servers, and other devices (e.g., databases, printers,scanners, etc.).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of acontainer 200 with its top flaps open, consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the container 200 can include adisplay 210, and one or more controls, such as a push-button switch 220and a push-button switch 230. In some embodiments, the container 200 canbe the container 110, shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, thecontainer 200 may not include a wireless transceiver and may notcommunicate directly with other devices.

In some embodiments, when a user puts one or more items into thecontainer 200, the container 200 will determine a weight of the one ormore items, as described below, and display the weight on the display210. In additional embodiments, the user may turn on or off the display210 using the push-button switch 220 or the push-button switch 230. Infurther embodiments, the push-button switch 220 or the push-buttonswitch 230 can be used to perform or activate one or more of thefollowing functions: switch between displays of different containerinformation (e.g., weight, temperature, humidity, etc.), switch betweendifferent measurement units (e.g., grams, pounds, Celsius, Fahrenheit,etc.), indicate the tare weight of the container 200, etc.

In further implementations, the container 200 can be a self-weighingcontainer composed primarily of cardboard. In some embodiments, thecontainer 200 can be cuboid in shape, as shown in FIG. 2, cylindrical,or any other shape that can contain a delivery item. In furtherembodiments, the container 200 can be collapsible and can be formed intoa cuboid shape by the user. In other embodiments, the container 200 canbe prefabricated in a cuboid shape and may not be collapsible.

In some implementations, the display 210 can be any type of volatile orstatic flat panel display. For example, the display 210 can be alight-emitting diodes (LED) display, a liquid crystal diode (LCD)display, an electronic paper display, an electronic ink display, aplasma display panel (PDP) display, and the like. In some embodiments,the display 210 can be on the side of the container, as shown in FIG. 2.In further embodiments, the display 210 can be embedded within or insetinto the material of the container 200 (e.g., within a prefabricatedcavity or hole in the cardboard on the side of the container 200). Inother embodiments, the display 210 can affixed to the container 200using an adhesive or a fastener(s).

In some implementations, the display 210 may automatically turn offafter a set period of inactivity (e.g., a time during which thepush-button switches are not activated), such as, for example threeminutes.

In some embodiments, the display 210 can be connected via one or morewires to other components (not shown in FIG. 2) of the container 200(e.g., a microcontroller, as discuss in further detail below) and can bepowered by one or batteries (not shown in FIG. 2), which may, forexample, be within the display and/or elsewhere in or built into thecontainer 200 or other components of the container 200 (e.g., loadcells, an amplifier, the microcontroller, a separate power source,etc.). In embodiments wherein the display 210 includes one or morebatteries, the display 210's batteries may provide power to othercomponents of the container 200. As used herein, a “battery” can referto any type of device (e.g., electrochemical cells) that can providepower to electrical devices. For example, a battery can be a primarydiscardable battery, a secondary rechargeable battery, a printable cellintegrated in a sheet of paper, etc.

In further implementations, the push-button switch 220 and/or thepush-button switch 230 can be any type of switching mechanism that, whenactivated by a user, can send a signal(s) to a microcontroller (notshown in FIG. 2) that is a component of the container 200. In variousembodiments, the push-button switch 220 and/or the push-button switch230 can be embedded within or inset into the material of the container200 (e.g., within a prefabricated cavity or cavities in the materialthat composes the side of the container 200). In other embodiments, thepush-button switch 220 and/or the push-button switch 230 can be affixedto the container 200 using an adhesive or fastener(s). In someembodiments, the push-button switch 220 and/or the push-button switch230 can be connected to the display 210 and/or to a microcontrollerwithin the container 200 via one or more wires (not shown in FIG. 2).

In other implementations, different types of controls or input devicescan be used instead of a push-button switch. For example, a keypad canbe embedded in the container 200 and can allow a user to manually inputinformation, such as a destination address, an origination address, atype of delivery service (e.g., standard, overnight, etc.), a manuallyentered weight, etc.

The container 200 shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example of a container,consistent with disclosed embodiments, and is not intended to belimiting. Many variations are possible within the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, in various embodiments, the container 200 canbe a different shape then depicted in FIG. 2, the display 210 can be ina different location, the container 200 can include additional displaysor no displays, the push-button switches 220 or 230 can be in differentlocations, and/or the container 200 can include fewer or additionalcontrols. For example, the display 210 can be on a different side of thecontainer 200, can be on the top or the bottom of the container 200,etc. As a further example, the push-button switches 220 or 230 can be ondifferent sides of the container 200, can be on the top or the bottom ofthe container 200, can be on the same side as the display 210, or one ormore can be on different sides than the display 210.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer 300, consistent with an embodiment of the invention. As shownin FIG. 3, the top flaps of the container 300 are open and the container300 can include a plate 310 on or as its inside bottom surface. In someembodiments, the container 300 can be the container 110, shown in FIG.1, and/or the container 200, shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the container300 may or may not include a wireless transceiver and may or may notinclude a display and push-button switches.

In some embodiments, when a user puts one or more items into thecontainer 300 and onto the plate 310, the container 300 determines theweight of the one or more items, as described below. The determinedweight may be transmitted to another device, as described with regard toFIG. 1 and/or can be displayed on a display of the container 300, asdescribed with regard to FIG. 2.

In some implementations, the container 300 can be a self-weighingcontainer composed primarily of cardboard. In some embodiments, thecontainer 300 can be cuboid in shape, as shown in FIG. 3, cylindrical,or any other shape that can contain a delivery item. In furtherembodiments, the container 300 can be prefabricated in a cuboid shapeand may not be collapsible. For example, the plate 310 may prevent thecontainer 300 from being collapsed and/or distributed in a collapsedstate, as is common with conventional cardboard boxes.

In some implementations, the plate 310 can be composed of any type ofstiff, lightweight material, such as cardboard. In certainimplementations, the plate 310 may be a rigid, puncture resistant, andshatter proof material, such as thicker forms of cardboard (e.g.,corrugated fiberboard), a cardboard/plastic laminate, or thermoplastics.The plate 310 can be positioned over and can be in contact with one ormore load cells (not shown in FIG. 3) that are components of thecontainer 300. Thus, when one or more items are placed on the plate 310,the plate 310 distributes and/or transfers the weight of the one or moreitems among the load cell(s), which detects, measures or otherwisesenses at least the weight, and the weight of the one or more items canbe calculated based on a signal(s) from the one or more load cells.Rigid materials may be used for the plate 310 to promote or ensureaccuracy of the calculated weight, and/or puncture resistant and shatterproof materials may be used for the plate 310 to ensure that the plateis not damaged during use or shipping. In various implementations, thecontainer 300 may calculate the weight of the item(s) contained thereinbefore, during, and/or after shipping. In various implementations, thecontainer 300 can be reused multiple times.

The container 300 is merely an example of a container, consistent withdisclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Variousembodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure; forexample, the container 300 can be a different shape than depicted inFIG. 3, multiple plates can be included within the container 300, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of thecontainer 300 with its top flaps open, consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention. The example shown in FIG. 4 can depict the self-weighingcontainer 300, described above with regard to FIG. 3, with the plate 310removed (or transparent) so as to show the components beneath the plate310. When in position, the plate 310 would rest upon and/or be attachedto one or more load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D. For clarity, thedepiction shown in FIG. 4 does not show the bottom floor and/orfolded-in bottom flaps of the container 300, upon which can be mountedload cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the container 300 can includewires 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E, the load cells 410A, 4106, 410C,and 410D, an amplifier 420 (e.g., a signal amplifier), and amicrocontroller 430. In FIG. 4, various components (e.g., the wires400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E, the amplifier 420, and themicrocontroller 430) are shown as visible, e.g., as being surfacemounted on the structure (e.g., the cardboard) of the container 300 forease of explanation. In other embodiments, a subset of the componentsmay be visible within the container 300, while, in further embodiments,all or some of the components may be embedded within the material (e.g.,cardboard) that makes up the structure of the container 300. Forexample, the cuboid box structure of the container 300 may be made fromcut, creased, and folded corrugated fiberboard, and the wires 400A,400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E, the amplifier 420, and/or themicrocontroller 430 may be sandwiched between the outer surfaces of thecorrugated fiberboard when the corrugated fiberboard is manufactured,such that the sandwiched components are not visible in the finishedcontainer 300.

In various embodiments, the wires 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E canconnect the components of the container 300 and can provide power to thecomponents and/or transmit signals between components. The wires 400A,400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E can be, for example, non-metallic sheathedcables, single strand insulated wires, or any other type of wire capableof performing the functions described herein. The wires 400A, 400B,400C, and 400D can connect the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D tothe amplifier 420, and the wire(s) 400E can connect the amplifier 420 tothe microcontroller 430. In various implementations, the microcontroller430 may also be operably connected to a display and/or push-buttonswitches (which are not shown in FIG. 4).

In further embodiments, the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D can beany type of sensor or transducer capable of creating an electricalsignal or the like with a magnitude that is proportional to a force(e.g., weight) exerted on the load cell, as are known in the art. Theload cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D can be composed of metals,plastics, and/or any other material known in the art. In the exampleshown, the load cells can be connected to the amplifier 420 via thewires 400A, 400B, 400C, and 400D.

In some implementations, each of the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and410D can include and be powered by a battery (not shown in FIG. 4). Inother implementations, the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D can bepowered by other components of the container 300 (e.g., a separate powersource, the microcontroller 430, a display, and/or the amplifier 420)via one or more wires (e.g., the wires 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and400E).

In some embodiments, the amplifier 420 can be any type of amplifiercapable of amplifying a signal from the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and410D to the microcontroller 430. In some embodiments as shown, thesignals from the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D may be relativelysmall and not usable or processable by the microcontroller 430 and/ornot readable over noise on the wires 400A, 400B, 400C, and 400D. Thus,the amplifier 420 can be used to amplify the signal transmitted to themicrocontroller 430. The amplifier 420 can be any suitable electronicsignal amplifier, as are known in the art, such as an operationalamplifier or the like. In some implementations as shown, the amplifier420 can be connected to the microcontroller 430 via the wire 400E. Inother implementations, the amplifier 420 can be integrated with themicrocontroller 430 or another component. In various implementations,the amplifier 420 can both amplify the load-cell signals and alsofunction as analog-to-digital converter (ADC; e.g., a 24-bit ADC), whichtransmits or provides digital data representing the amplified signal tothe microcontroller 430. In still further implementations, an amplifiermay not be needed and may not be included in the container 300, and themicrocontroller 430 can be directly connected to the load cells 410A,410B, 410C, and 410D.

In some implementations, the amplifier 420 can include and be powered bya battery (not shown in FIG. 4). In other implementations, the amplifier420 can be powered by other components of the container 300 (e.g., aseparate power source, the microcontroller 430, a display, and/or theload cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D) via one or more wires (e.g., thewires 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E).

In additional embodiments, the microcontroller 430 can be any type ofcomputer or processor(s) on an integrated circuit or a system on a chip.The microcontroller 430 can include one or more microprocessors alongwith memory, input/output ports, and the like. The microcontroller 430can receive weight-information signals from the load cells 410A, 410B,410C, and 410D via the amplifier 420. Additionally, the microcontroller430 can process the signals and compute a weight corresponding to theforces exerted by an item(s) on the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and410D via the plate 310. In various implementations, the microcontroller430 may utilize an algorithm that averages and/or adds the signals fromthe load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D in order to calculate theweight of an item that is placed on the plate 310. As noted, in someembodiments, the microcontroller 430 can be connected to a display(e.g., the display 210 shown in FIG. 2), and can transmit instructionsto the display to display the calculated weight. In other embodiments,the microcontroller 430 can include and/or be connected to a wirelesstransmitter or transceiver and can transmit the calculated weight to auser device (e.g., the user device 130 shown in FIG. 1) and/or to aserver via an access point (e.g., the server 160 via the access point150 shown in FIG. 1).

In some implementations, the microcontroller 430 can include and bepowered by a battery (not shown in FIG. 4). In other implementations,the microcontroller 430 can be powered by other components of thecontainer 300 (e.g., a separate power source, the amplifier 420, adisplay, and/or the load cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D) via one ormore wires (e.g., the wires 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, and 400E).

In further embodiments, the microcontroller 430 can be connected toother types of sensors (not shown in FIG. 4), such as a GPS receiver, atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer,and the like, and the microcontroller 430 can receive signals from thesensors (e.g., signals corresponding to global coordinates of thecontainer 300, a temperature or humidity within the container 300, lightsensed within the container 300, movement of the container 300, and thelike), calculate or determine container information from the sensorsignals, and transmit the container information via wirelesscommunications or display the container information via a display.

The components shown in FIG. 4 are merely an example of components thatcan be included in a container, consistent with disclosed embodiments,and the example is not intended to be limiting. In various embodiments,the container 300 can include additional or fewer components (e.g.,fewer load cells, additional wires, additional sensors, etc.).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of acontainer 500 with its top flaps open, consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention. The depiction shown in FIG. 5 shows the folded-in bottomflaps of the container 500, which is structured like a conventionalcardboard box. As shown in FIG. 5, the container 500 can includepressure indicating paper 510A and pressure indicating paper 510B (alsoknown as force sensitive film or paper), which may, as shown, be on topof two of the folded-in bottom flaps of the container 500. In variousembodiments, the pressure indicating paper 510 may be composed of amaterial (e.g., a plastic film or paper) that changes its electricalresistance when force is applied to it, as is known in the art, suchthat the weight of the item(s) that is applying the force to thepressure indicating paper 510 can be calculated based on a measurementof the electrical resistance, which may be represented in a signalproduced by the pressure indicating paper 510. In some embodiments, thecontainer 500 can be the container 110, shown in FIG. 1, and/or thecontainer 200, shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, various implementations ofthe container 500 may or may not include a wireless transceiver and mayor may not include a display and push-button switches.

In some embodiments, when a user puts one or more items into thecontainer 500, the container 500 measures, calculates, and/or otherwisedetermines the weight of the one or more items, as described below.Information representing the weight may be transmitted to anotherdevice, as described with regard to FIG. 1 and/or can be displayed on adisplay on the container 500, as described with regard to FIG. 2.

In some implementations, the container 500 can be a self-weighingcontainer composed primarily of cardboard. In some embodiments, thecontainer 500 can be cuboid in shape, as shown in FIG. 5, cylindrical,or any other shape that can contain a delivery item. In furtherembodiments, the container 500 can be collapsible and/or may bedistributed in a collapsed state, similar to conventional cardboardboxes. In further embodiments, the container 500 can be prefabricated ina cuboidal shape and may not be collapsible.

In some implementations, the pressure indicating paper 510A and 5108 canbe any known type of pressure-sensitive film or paper material, whichmay include materials or layers that include paper, plastics, and/ormetals. Suitable examples of a pressure indicating paper are the“Prescale Film” manufactured by the Fujifilm Company and the “PressureSensitive Conductive Sheet (Velostat/Linqstat)” available from AdafruitIndustries. In certain implementations, the pressure indicating paper510A and 510B may be flexible. In further implementations, the pressureindicating paper 510A and 510B may be attached to the bottom flaps of acardboard box (as shown in FIG. 5) using any suitable type of adhesiveor fastener. The pressure indicating paper 510A and 510B may be able totransmit or produce an electrical signal indicating that a force (e.g.,the weight of an item) is being exerted on the pressure indicating paper510A and 510B and indicating the amount of force being exerted on thepressure indicating paper 510A and 510B. In some embodiments, thepressure indicating paper 510A and 510B may contain a grid of multiplecells, where each cell can indicate when force is exerted on the celland/or an amount of force being exerted on the cell. For example, eachcell can indicate the amount of force by producing or generating avoltage or a resistance that varies in amount based on the amount offorce being applied. In various embodiments, the pressure indicatingpaper 510A and 5106 can be connected to electrical wires (not shown inFIG. 5) that can transmit the indications of pressure (e.g., the voltageor resistance) to an amplifier and/or a microcontroller, as discussed infurther detail below.

The container 500 in merely an example of a container, consistent withdisclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Manyvariations are possible; for example, the container 500 can be adifferent shape then depicted in FIG. 5, a single piece of pressureindicating paper can be included within the container 500 that coversthe entire bottom of the container 500, more than two pieces of pressureindicating paper can be included within or attached to the bottom flapsof the container 500, the inside bottom flaps may be longer so as tomake up or cover essentially the entire inside bottom surface of thecontainer 500, etc.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional sideview of a bottom flap of the container 500, consistent with anembodiment of the invention. In this particular embodiment, the exampleshown in FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional side view of one of the bottomflaps of the container 500, described above with regard to FIG. 5, whichhas pressure indicating paper 510A attached to it. In the example shown,the bottom flap of the container 500 may be composed of corrugatedfiberboard, which has a flat first outer layer 505, at least one middlelayer 506 that includes a fluted corrugated sheet, and a flat secondouter layer 507. The pressure indicating paper 510A may be attached tothe flat second outer layer 507 of the bottom flap by a layer ofadhesive 610, as shown. In other embodiments, the pressure indicatingpaper 510A can be attached to the container 500 using other means, suchas fasteners (e.g., staples), etc.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead view of thecontainer 500 with its top flaps open, consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention. The example shown in FIG. 7 can depict the container 500,described above with regard to FIGS. 5-6. In FIG. 7, the sides of thecontainer 500 are depicted as transparent for clarity of explanation, inorder to show the components that are embedded within the sides of thecontainer 500. In some embodiments, as shown, the container 500 caninclude wires 700A, 700B, and 700C, the pressure indicating paper 510Aand 5106, an amplifier 710, and a microcontroller 720. As noted, thecomponents shown in FIG. 7 are shown as being visible for ease ofexplanation. In some embodiments, some or all of the components may bevisible within (e.g., mounted on the inside surfaces of) the container500, while, in other embodiments, some or all of the components may beembedded within the structural material of the container 500 (e.g.,within the corrugation layer of corrugated fiberboard).

In various embodiments, the wires 700A, 700B, and 700C can connect thecomponents of the container 500 and can provide power to the componentsand/or transmit signals between components. The wires 700A, 700B, and700C can be, for example, non-metallic sheathed cables, single strandinsulated wires, or any other type of wire capable of performing thefunctions described herein. The wires 700A and 700B can connect thepressure indicating paper 510A and 5106 to the amplifier 710, and thewire 700C can connect the amplifier 710 to the microcontroller 720.

In some implementations, the pressure indicating paper 510A and 5106 canbe powered by other components of the container 500 (e.g., a separatepower source, the microcontroller 720, a display, and/or the amplifier710) via one or more wires (e.g., the wires 700A, 700B, and 400C).

In some embodiments, the amplifier 710 can be any type of amplifiercapable of amplifying a signal from the pressure indicating paper 510Aand 510B to the microcontroller 720. The amplifier 710 can be anysuitable electronic amplifier, as are known in the art, such as anoperational amplifier or the like. In some implementations, theamplifier 710 can be connected to the microcontroller 720 via the wire700C. In other implementations, the amplifier 710 can be integrated withthe microcontroller 720. In further implementations, an amplifier maynot be included in the container 500, and the microcontroller 720 can bedirectly connected to the pressure indicating paper 510A and 5106.

In some implementations, the amplifier 710 can include and be powered bya battery (not shown in FIG. 7). In other implementations, the amplifier710 can be powered by other components of the container 500 (e.g., aseparate power source, a display, and/or the microcontroller 720) viaone or more wires (e.g., the wires 700A, 700B, and 700C).

In additional embodiments, the microcontroller 720 can be any type ofcomputer or processor(s) on an integrated circuit or a system on a chip.The microcontroller 720 can include one or more microprocessors alongwith memory and input/output ports and the like. The microcontroller 720can, in some embodiments, receive weight-information signals from thepressure indicating paper 510A and 5106 via the amplifier 710.Additionally, the microcontroller 720 can process the signals andcompute a weight corresponding to the forces exerted by an item(s) onthe pressure indicating paper 510A and 5106 and/or forces exerted onindividual cells of the pressure indicating paper 510A and 5106. Invarious implementations, the microcontroller 720 may utilize orimplement an algorithm that averages and/or adds the signals from theindividual cells of the pressure indicating paper 510A and 5106 in orderto calculate the weight of an item that is placed on the pressureindicating paper 510A and 5106. In some embodiments, the microcontroller720 can be connected to a display (e.g., the display 210 shown in FIG.2), and can transmit instructions to the display to display thecalculated weight. In other embodiments, the microcontroller 720 caninclude or be connected to a wireless transmitter or transceiver andantenna, and can transmit the calculated weight to a user device (e.g.,the user device 130 shown in FIG. 1) and/or to a server via an accesspoint (e.g., the server 160 via the access point 150 shown in FIG. 1).

In some implementations, the microcontroller 720 can include and bepowered by a battery (not shown in FIG. 7). In other implementations,the microcontroller 720 can be powered by other components of thecontainer 500 (e.g., a separate power source, a display, and/or theamplifier 710) via one or more wires (e.g., the wires 700A, 700B, and700C).

In further embodiments, the microcontroller 720 can be connected toother types of sensors (not shown in FIG. 7), such as a GPS receiver, atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer,and the like, and the microcontroller 720 can receive signals from thesensors, calculate or determine container information from or based onthe sensor signals, and transmit the container information via wirelesscommunications or display the container information via a display.

The components shown in FIG. 7 are merely an example of components thatcan be included in a container, consistent with disclosed embodiments,and the example is not intended to be limiting. In various embodiments,the container 700 can include additional or fewer components (e.g.,fewer pieces of pressure indicating paper, additional wires, additionalsensors, etc.).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom perspective viewof a container 800, consistent with an embodiment of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 8, the container 800 can include a plate 810 on its bottomsurface. In some embodiments, the container 800 can be the container110, shown in FIG. 1, and/or the container 200, shown in FIG. 2.Accordingly, the container 800 may or may not include a wirelesstransceiver and may or may not include a display and push-buttonswitches.

In some embodiments, when a user puts one or more items in the container800, a weight of the one or more items can be determined, as describedbelow. The weight may be transmitted to another device, as describedwith regard to FIG. 1 and/or can be displayed on a display on thecontainer 800, as described with regard to FIG. 2.

In some implementations, the container 800 can be a self-weighingcontainer composed primarily of cardboard. In some embodiments, thecontainer 800 can be cuboid in shape, as shown in FIG. 8, cylindrical,or any other shape that can contain a delivery item. In otherembodiments, the container 800 can be prefabricated in a cuboidal shapeand may not be collapsible. For example, the plate 810 may prevent thecontainer 800 from being collapsed and/or distributed in a collapsedstate.

In some implementations, the plate 810 can be composed of any type ofstiff, lightweight material, such as cardboard. In certainimplementations, the plate 810 may be a rigid, puncture resistant, andshatter proof material, such as thicker forms of cardboard (e.g.,corrugated fiberboard, a cardboard/plastic laminate, or thermoplastics).The plate 810 can be affixed to the bottom of the container 800 using anadhesive or fasteners and positioned under and in contact with one ormore load cells (not shown in FIG. 8) that are components of thecontainer 800. Thus, when one or more items are placed in the container800, the plate 810 distributes and/or transfers the weight of the one ormore items among the load cell(s), which detects, measures or otherwisesenses at least the weight, and the weight of the one or more items canbe calculated based on a signal(s) from the one or more load cells. Insome embodiments, rigid materials may be used for the plate 810 topromote or ensure accuracy of the calculated weight, and/or punctureresistant and shatter proof materials may be used for the plate 810 toensure that the plate is not damaged during use or shipping. In variousimplementations, the container 800 may calculate the weight of theitem(s) contained therein before, during and/or after shipping. Invarious implementations, the container 800 can be reused multiple times.In further embodiments, water resistant and/or thermal protectivematerials may be used for the plate 810 to protect the load cells frommoisture and/or changes in temperature.

The container 800 in merely an example of a container, consistent withdisclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Variousembodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure; forexample, the container 800 can be a different shape then depicted inFIG. 8, multiple plates can be included under and/or within thecontainer 800, etc.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom perspective viewof the container 800, consistent with an embodiment of the invention.The example shown in FIG. 9 can depict the container 800, describedabove with regard to FIG. 8, where the plate 810 is removed, or theplate 810 and the sides and bottom of the container 800 are depicted astransparent to show the components covered by the plate 810 and withinthe sides and bottom of the container 800. When in position, the plate810 would be attached to one or more load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and910D. For clarity, the depiction shown in FIG. 9 does not show thefolded-in bottom flaps of the container 800, upon which are mounted theload cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D.

In some embodiments, the container 800 can include wires 900A, 900B,900C, 900D, and 900E, load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D, anamplifier 920, and a microcontroller 930. In FIG. 9, the non-structuralcomponents are shown as visible for ease of explanation. In someembodiments, the components may be surface mounted and thus visiblewithin or outside the container 800, while, in other embodiments, thecomponents may be embedded within the cardboard material of thecontainer 800 (e.g., within the corrugations of corrugated fiberboard)and/or behind the plate 810, and thus not visible to a user.

In various embodiments, the wires 900A, 900B, 900C, 900D, and 900E canconnect the components of the container 800 and can provide power to thecomponents and/or transmit signals between components. The wires 900A,900B, 900C, 900D, and 900E can be, for example, non-metallic sheathedcables, single strand insulated wires, or any other type of wire capableof performing the functions described herein. The wires 900A, 900B,900C, and 900D can connect the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D tothe amplifier 920, and the wire(s) 900E can connect the amplifier 920 tothe microcontroller 930. In various implementations, the microcontroller920 may also be operably connected to a display 210 and/or push-buttonswitches, (which are not shown in FIG. 9).

In further embodiments, the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D can beany type of sensor or transducer capable of creating an electricalsignal or the like with a magnitude that is proportional to a force(e.g., weight) exerted on the load cell. The load cells 910A, 910B,910C, and 910D can be composed of metals, plastics, and/or any othermaterial known in the art. In the example shown, the load cells can beconnected to the amplifier 920 via the wires 900A, 900B, 900C, and 900D.

In some implementations, each of the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and910D can include and be powered by a battery (not shown in FIG. 9). Inother implementations, the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D can bepowered by other components of the container 800 (e.g., a separate powersource, the microcontroller 930, a display, and/or the amplifier 920)via one or more wires (e.g., the wires 900A, 900B, 900C, and 900D).

In some embodiments, the amplifier 920 can be any type of amplifiercapable of amplifying a signal from the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and910D to the microcontroller 930. The amplifier 920 can be any suitableelectronic signal amplifier, as are known in the art, such as anoperational amplifier or the like. In some implementations as shown, theamplifier 920 can be connected to the microcontroller 930 via the wire900E. In other implementations, the amplifier 920 can be integrated withthe microcontroller 930 or another component. In furtherimplementations, an amplifier may not be included in the container 800,and the microcontroller 930 can be directly connected to the load cells910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D.

In some implementations, the amplifier 920 can include and be powered bya battery (not shown in FIG. 9). In other implementations, the amplifier920 can be powered by other components of the container 800 (e.g., aseparate power source, the microcontroller 930, a display, and/or theload cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D) via one or more wires (e.g., thewires 900A, 900B, 900C, 900D, and 900E).

In additional embodiments, the microcontroller 930 can be any type ofcomputer or processor(s) on an integrated circuit or a system on a chip.The microcontroller 930 can include one or more microprocessors alongwith memory and input/output ports and the like. The microcontroller 930can receive weight-information signals from the load cells 910A, 910B,910C, and 910D, for example, via the amplifier 920. Additionally, themicrocontroller 930 can process the signals and compute a weightcorresponding to the forces exerted by an item(s) on the load cells910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D via the plate 810. As noted, in someembodiments, the microcontroller 930 can be connected to a display(e.g., the display 210 shown in FIG. 2), and can transmit instructionsto the display to display the calculated weight. In other embodiments,the microcontroller 930 can include or be connected to a wirelesstransmitter or transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth™ antenna, a 3G antenna, a4G antenna, a radio signal antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, etc.), and cantransmit the calculated weight to a user device (e.g., the user device130 shown in FIG. 1) and/or to a server via an access point (e.g., theserver 160 via the access point 150 shown in FIG. 1).

In some implementations, the microcontroller 930 can include and bepowered by a battery (not shown in FIG. 9). In other implementations,the microcontroller 930 can be powered by other components of thecontainer 800 (e.g., a separate power source, the amplifier 920, adisplay, and/or the load cells 910A, 910B, 910C, and 910D) via one ormore wires (e.g., the wires 900A, 900B, 900C, 900D, and 900E).

In further embodiments, the microcontroller 930 can be connected toother types of sensors (not shown in FIG. 9), such as a GPS receiver, atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer,and the like, and the microcontroller 930 can receive signals from thesensors, calculate or determine container information from the sensorsignals, and transmit the container information via wirelesscommunications or display the container information via a display.

The components shown in FIG. 9 are merely an example of components thatcan be included in a container, consistent with disclosed embodiments,and the example is not intended to be limiting. In various embodiments,the container 800 can include additional or fewer components (e.g.,fewer load cells, additional wires, additional sensors, etc.).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overhead perspectiveview of a container 1000 with its top flaps closed, consistent with anembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the container 1000 caninclude a display 1010, and one or more controls, such as a push-buttonswitch 1020, and a push-button switch 1030. In some embodiments, thecontainer 1000 can be the container 110, shown in FIG. 1. In otherembodiments, the container 1000 may not include a wireless transceiverand may not communicate directly with other devices.

In some embodiments, when a user places one or more items into thecontainer 1000, the container 1000 will determine a weight of the one ormore items, as described above, e.g., with respect to FIG. 9, anddisplay the weight on the display 1010. In additional embodiments, theuser may turn on or off the display using the push-button switch 1020 orthe push-button switch 1030. In further embodiments, the push-buttonswitch 1020 or the push-button switch 1030 can be used to perform oractivate one or more of the following functions: switch between displaysof different container information (e.g., weight, and in someembodiments, temperature, humidity, etc.), switch between differentmeasurement units (e.g., grams, pounds, Celsius, Fahrenheit, etc.),indicate the tare weight of the container 1000, etc.

In some implementations, the container 1000 can be a self-weighingcontainer composed primarily of cardboard. In some embodiments, thecontainer 1000 can be cuboid in shape, as shown in FIG. 10, cylindrical,or any other shape that can contain a delivery item. In furtherembodiments, the container 1000 can be collapsible and can be formedinto a cuboid shape by the user. In other embodiments, the container 200can be prefabricated in a cuboid shape and may not be collapsible.

In some implementations, the display 1010 can be any type of volatile orstatic flat panel display. For example, the display 1010 can be an LEDdisplay, an LCD display, an electronic paper display, an electronic inkdisplay, a PDP display, and the like. In some embodiments, the display1010 can be on a top flap of the container 1000.

In some implementations, the display 1010 may automatically turn offafter a set period of inactivity (e.g., a time during which thepush-button switches are not activated), such as, for example fiveminutes.

In some embodiments, the display 1010 can be powered by one or batteries(not shown in FIG. 10), which may, for example, be within the displayand/or elsewhere in or built into the container 1000 or other componentsof the container 1000 (e.g., load cells, an amplifier, amicrocontroller, a separate power source, etc.). In embodiments whereinthe display 1010 includes one or more batteries, the display 1010'sbatteries may provide power to other components of the container 1010.

In further implementations, the push-button switch 1020 and/or thepush-button switch 1030 can be any type of switching mechanism that,when activated by a user, can send signals to a microcontroller withincontainer 1000.

In an example implementation, a user can place an item she wantsdelivered in the container 1000 (or any other container describedherein). Weight-sensing device(s) in the container 1000 can sense partor all of the force (weight) from the item and produce an electricalsignal corresponding/proportional thereto. An amplifier (as describedherein) can increase those signals, and the signals can be received by amicrocontroller (as described here). The microcontroller can integratethe signals and/or perform an algorithm to determine a weight of theitem based on all received signals. The microcontroller can alsosubtract the tare weight of the container (e.g., a tare weight indicatedby the user via the push-button switch 1030) from the determined weightto obtain the total weight. The microcontroller can transmit the totalweight wirelessly to a user device and/or a server and/or can displaythe total weight on a display (e.g., the display 1010).

The container 1000 in merely an example of a container, consistent withdisclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Manyvariations are possible within the scope of this disclosure. Forexample, in various embodiments, the container 1000 can be a differentshape then depicted in FIG. 10, the display 1010 can be in a differentlocation (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), the container 1000 can includeadditional displays or no displays, the push-button switches 1020 or1030 can be in different locations (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), and/orthe container 1000 can include fewer or additional push-button switches.

While the teachings have been described with reference to the examplesof embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to make variousmodifications to the described embodiments without departing from thetrue spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are setforth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Inparticular, although the method has been described in a specific orderof steps, the steps of the method may be performed in a different orderthan illustrated, or may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, tothe extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”,“with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed descriptionand the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a mannersimilar to the term “comprising.” As used herein, the term “one or moreof” with respect to a listing of items such as, for example, A and B,means A alone, B alone, or A and B. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that these and other variations are possible within the spiritand scope as defined in the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for transporting delivery items, thecontainer comprising: a weight-sensing device that is configured tosense a weight of a delivery item that is placed inside the container; amicrocontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device; and adisplay that is connected to the microcontroller; wherein, when adelivery item is placed in the container: the weight-sensing deviceproduces a signal that corresponds to the weight of the delivery item;the microcontroller receives the signal and determines the weight of thedelivery item based on the signal; the microcontroller transmits anindication of the weight to the display; and the display displays theweight based on the indication of the weight.
 2. The container of claim1, wherein the container comprises a cardboard box.
 3. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the weight-sensing device comprises pressure indicatingpaper.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the pressure indicatingpaper produces a plurality of signals corresponding to different areasof the pressure indicating paper; and wherein the microcontrollerdetermines the weight utilizing an algorithm that averages the pluralityof signals from the pressure indicating paper.
 5. The container of claim3, wherein the container is collapsible.
 6. The container of claim 1,wherein the weight-sensing device comprises a load cell.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein: the weight-sensing device comprises aplurality of load cells; each load cell of the plurality of load cellsproduces a signal that corresponds to a part of the weight of thedelivery item that is sensed by the load cell; the container isprefabricated in a cuboid shape; the container further comprises a platethat is connected to the plurality of load cells; the delivery item thatis placed in the container rests on the plate, which distributes theweight of the delivery item among the plurality of load cells; and themicrocontroller calculates the weight based on signals from theplurality of load cells.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein themicrocontroller calculates the weight utilizing an algorithm thataverages the signals from the plurality of load cells.
 9. The containerof claim 1, further comprising an amplifier connected to theweight-sensing device and the microcontroller, wherein: theweight-sensing device is connected to the microcontroller via theamplifier; and the amplifier amplifies the signal from theweight-sensing device and transmits the signal that was amplified to themicrocontroller.
 10. The container of claim 1, further comprising atleast one selected from a group consisting of: a push-button switchconnected to the microcontroller that causes the microcontroller tochange units of the display; a temperature sensor connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to temperatureinside the container; a humidity sensor connected to the microcontrollerthat produces a signal that corresponds to humidity inside thecontainer; an accelerometer connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to movement of the container; aGlobal Positioning System receiver connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to global coordinates of thecontainer; or a light sensor connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to light sensed within the container.11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitterconnected to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller transmitsan indication of the weight to a device via the wireless transmitter.12. A container for transporting delivery items, the containercomprising: a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weightof a delivery item that is placed inside the container; amicrocontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device; and awireless transmitter connected to the microcontroller; wherein when adelivery item is placed in the container: the weight-sensing deviceproduces a signal that corresponds to the weight of the delivery item;the microcontroller receives the signal and determines the weight of thedelivery item based on the signal; and the microcontroller transmits anindication of the weight to a device via the wireless transmitter. 13.The container of claim 12, wherein the device is a user device thatdisplays the weight in response to receiving the indication of theweight from the microcontroller.
 14. The container of claim 12, whereinthe device is a server that: receives and stores the indication of theweight in a database; and transmits the indication of the weight to auser device based on a request received from the user device.
 15. Thecontainer of claim 12, wherein the container comprises a cardboard box.16. The container of claim 15, wherein: the cardboard box comprisescorrugated fiberboard; the microcontroller is connected to theweight-sensing device via a plurality of wires; and the plurality ofwires are within corrugations of the corrugated fiberboard.
 17. Thecontainer of claim 12, wherein the weight-sensing device comprisespressure indicating paper.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein thecontainer is collapsible.
 19. The container of claim 12, wherein theweight-sensing device comprises a load cell.
 20. The container of claim12, wherein: the weight-sensing device comprises a plurality of loadcells; each load cell of the plurality of load cells produces a signalthat corresponds to a part of the weight of the delivery item that issensed by the load cell; the container is prefabricated in a cuboidshape; the container further comprises a plate that is connected to theplurality of load cells; the delivery item that is placed in thecontainer rests on the plate, which distributes the weight of thedelivery item among the plurality of load cells; and the microcontrollercalculates the weight based on signals from the plurality of load cells.21. The container of claim 12, further comprising an amplifier connectedto the weight-sensing device and the microcontroller, wherein: theweight-sensing device is connected to the microcontroller via theamplifier; and the amplifier amplifies the signal from theweight-sensing device and transmits the signal that was amplified to themicrocontroller.
 22. The container of claim 12, further comprising atleast one selected from a group consisting of: a push-button switchconnected to the microcontroller that causes the microcontroller tochange units of the display; a temperature sensor connected to themicrocontroller that produces a signal that corresponds to temperatureinside the container; a humidity sensor connected to the microcontrollerthat produces a signal that corresponds to humidity inside thecontainer; an accelerometer connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to movement of the container; aGlobal Positioning System receiver connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to global coordinates of thecontainer; or a light sensor connected to the microcontroller thatproduces a signal that corresponds to light sensed within the container.